When is a Trail not a Trail?

On August 8, 2017 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Photo Challenge, South America3 Comments

The answer… when it is a stream, but you still have to hike through it. When we did our canopy tour in Bolivia, we had to hike through a stream and climb a waterfall just to get to the start of the zip-lining course. As far as we know, there wasn’t anything in the water that we needed to worry about, but then again, no one really talked about it. We didn’t have any other shoes with us and we were going to be trekking in the jungle the next day, so we weren’t particularly happy that our shoes were drenched with water. When we returned to our eco-lodge later that evening, we removed our shoes and our guide came up with a creative solution. There were no laundry facilities at the lodge since we were in the middle of the Amazon rainforest, so our guide took our shoes and placed the by vent of the freezer.

We walked back to our room wearing our socks and when we got to our room, we looked down at our feet to see them covered with ants. Certainly not a pleasant sight and getting them off of our socks was not easy as they clang to them with their sharp legs. The following morning we were relieved to find that our shoes were no longer dripping wet. Considering the heat and humidity of the rainforest, our shoes would not have dried without the heat from that vent.

You can’t head into the jungle without expecting a few interesting stories to come from the adventure. We are hoping to return to the jungle during our trip to Ecuador that starts one month from today. For Cee’s WhichCee’s Which Way Photo Challenge Way Photo Challenge, we have chosen to share these photos of our hike through the stream in the Bolivian jungle.

Steamboat Springs, Colorado

On August 7, 2017 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Colorado12 Comments

Most people associate Steamboat Springs with being a destination for skiing, which would be correct, but it is also a popular destination during the summer. Situated in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, there is ample hiking, biking, zip lining, golf, and other activities. The town of Steamboat Springs is a typical Colorado mountain town with historic buildings and ample choices of restaurants and local shops. Whether mountain biking, walking or riding bikes along the Yampa River, playing miniature golf, or riding down the Alpine Slide, there are plenty of things for children as well as adults.

Stunning Views as You Drive to Steamboat

Shopping and Dining in the Old Town Square

Getting into the mountains is a wonderful way to beat the heat and enjoy fresh air, good food, and get away from the daily grind. If you are looking for solitude, though, you will need to get out of town and go hiking or biking on a nearby trail as the resort town is extremely busy as tourists descend upon it in droves. The weekends are especially congested as people escape from Denver and other surrounding cities to join tourists from around the world. Friday and Saturday nights feature a pro rodeo as well as an opera series during the summer. There is also a farmer’s market on Saturdays with a large variety of local artists, fresh vegetables, and other oddities for sale.

If you make your way out of town and up to the actual ski resort, you take the gondola to the top to enjoy the views or, if you are more daring, rent a mountain bike and take a thrilling ride down the side of the mountain. There is also horseback riding or white water rafting for those who want a true mountain experience. With so much to do, you may find yourself jumping in the hot tub of your local condominium or hotel to sooth those aching muscles at the end of the day. Also, be aware that Steamboat Springs is at 6,700 feet (2,050 meters), so be sure to drink plenty of water as well as sports drinks. When not refueling, perhaps enjoy one of the many local craft beers that are available in the restaurants and pubs.

Steamboat Springs is definitely a wonderful place to enjoy the best of what Colorado has to offer. Stunning views, outdoor activities, friendly people, and gourmet dining. Regardless of your fitness level, you will be able to find activities that suit your lifestyle. Also, being a large ski resort area, you can find accommodations ranging from upscale hotels and resort condominiums to motels and cabins catering to almost any budget.

Do You Plan Every Minute of a Trip?

On August 3, 2017 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Photo Challenge7 Comments

We all know that life is very busy and it is hard not to get caught up in the immediate needs that are right in front of you. The same is true when you are traveling, it is easy to be so consumed with what you need to do next that you don’t truly absorb the experience of the country or city that you are visiting. We aren’t suggesting that you don’t read about or investigate the place that you are planning on visiting, but we do suggest that you don’t put yourself on a ridged schedule.

There are always going to be some things that you have to see or attractions that you have to plan in advance because tickets sell out, but as a rule we try not to have a specific timeline for the things that we want to see. Often we will discover something that wasn’t in the guide books or travel apps by talking to the locals and asking them what things they believe is important to see in the place that they call home. We never know when we might want to stop someplace and grab a quick bite to eat or have a glass of wine and never want to feel like we can’t because we have to rush off to the next place on our list.

We didn’t always use to be this way. There was a time when we planned every part of a trip and tried to cram as much into each location as we possibly could. We usually came home from traveling more exhausted than when we left and often everything was a blur until we went back and review photos later. Then one time we packed our bags, put them in the car, and flipped a coin as to whether we would head north or south. We looked at the map, picked a city, and went on our way. No reservations, no idea where we would stay or what we would see. It turned out to be a wonderful trip to Alamosa, Colorado, and the Great Sand Dunes.

We aren’t recommending that you necessarily head to the airport with no destination in mind or even drive to a city without any plans as it could turn into a disaster, but there is something to be said for spontaneity. During our time in Europe, we usually decided on our weekend destination on Wednesday and then booked the hotel and train or plane that night with no real knowledge of what we would see when we got there. This week’s Daily Post Photo Challenge is Textures and, although it may seem a little off-topic for this post, we decided to share some photos of interesting patterns in the foreground and mountains in the distance. Much like not being able to see the forest for the trees, travel is about much more than just the next place on the itinerary.